DON'T JUDGE VICTIM BY THE HEADLINES

On April 25, my best friend and someone I cared a lot for was shot and
killed. Matt Greear's life was taken suddenly on this day. The fact that
everyone has labeled it as drug related makes family and friends very
angry. I know it might have been drug-related, but for those who knew Matt,
he was drug free.

All he wanted was to play football and come home to his family and friends.
Matt was persistent and worked hard at everything. He wanted to be the
best, and I know he wouldn't have let drugs ruin what he was working so
hard for. We are dealing with this one day at a time, but every time we
turn around, we are faced with the fact that people are saying "that's what
he gets for doing drugs." Those who didn't know him are judging him anyway,
because in the papers and news it is being labeled as drug-related.

This goes back to the old saying, don't judge a book by its cover. In this
situation people shouldn't judge him. I can't speak for those other three
guys, but I can speak on Matt's behalf. I just want everyone to know what
kind of person he was. I hope whoever is responsible for killing these two
guys is living with the guilt. All we can do is put it in God's hands.

- -- Kelly Hamlett

Townsville